Posted on 08/07/2005 10:13:06 AM PDT by elkfersupper
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The day the Legislature approved a smoking ban for most North Dakota businesses, Dennis Laches put a sign on his laundry and television repair shop, announcing he would close when the ban took effect Aug. 1.
"Nobody knew if he was going to go through with it," said Troy Mosbrucker, the mayor of Mott, a town of about 800 in southwestern North Dakota. "He had a point to prove, and he proved it."
As promised, Laches closed his business that day. He said it had nothing to do with his pack-a-day habit. Rather, he said, it was a matter of fairness.
"The state of North Dakota is attempting to make me discriminate against another person or group of people," said Laches, 59. "I don't believe government of any kind should be allowed to dictate what I do at my own business and my own building."
State officials say they know of no other businesses that have closed because of the new smoking ban, though police have rounded up ash trays in some bingo parlors.
The new state law bans smoking in most public areas and workplaces. Bars are exempt, unless they have a restaurant in the smoking area. Violators can be fined up to $500. A building owner who allows illegal smoking also faces fines of up to $500 for multiple infractions within one year.
Law enforcement officers are trying to adjust to the new rules.
"It's almost embarrassing walking in and being called the smoke police," said Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck said. "We have better things to do, but we'll enforce it."
But health officials say feedback had generally been positive.
"We had some (people) call that are dissatisfied, but it's been very few," said Kathleen Mangskau, director of the Health Department's tobacco prevention and control program.
Two days after Laches closed his shop, an economic development group purchased his laundry machines, mostly to keep the 100 or so visiting custom wheat harvesters in town.
"If they leave town to do their laundry, then they leave the town grocery, the gas station and the cafe," Mosbrucker said. "Everything loses."
Laches said his business was never a moneymaker in the 17 years he owned it. Now, he'll either retire or move to another state to find work.
"If I find a job, it's going to have to be in a state that allows smoking," he said.
No, the Admin Monitor deleted it. It was his/her decision, and he/she agreed with me. They are not obligated to delete whatever is requested. My message to the Admin Monitor was simple. I simply said, "Is this appropriate for this thread?"
I was alarmed that the thread would be marred.
This is an appropriate thread for the debate. Those mourning loved ones and offering prayers for the Jennings family do not need to be in the middle of it.
I do not care who deleted it.......it contained a false accusation by you aimed at me for which I received no acknowlegement..........I never marred the thread, if anyone, it was you. the fact you had to ask if your comment was appropriate proves my point.
You didn't respond to my pointing to what I was referring to last night, and continue to do so now. And you wonder why I have doubts about what you posted at 166 on this thread?
Sorry...this is getting really tiresome. You are a bit whacked and I'm sure will be better tomorrow.
Take care!!
The founding fathers felt the same way Mr. Laches. Unfortunately the modern nanny statists disagree.
So you deny that you said I was bringing smoking issues into the Jennings thread, yet expect me to believe you oppose smoking bans?
Sorry, if anyone is whacked it sure isn't me.
I believe the Admin mods have access to all deleted posts, why not ask for them to freepmail it to you and you can freepmail it to me to prove I am wrong.
You won't do it, because you realize that a retrieval of that post will prove that I am correct and I have a feeling you would have a problem with that.
Exactly.
You won't do it, because you realize that a retrieval of that post will prove that I am correct and I have a feeling you would have a problem with that.
Please, please, please, Admin (Lead) Monitor...please do what she says! I guess what I'm asking for is that you email me post 155 from the Jennings thread last night. If that post was not related to me or to Gabz, please indicate in the FReepmail that it belonged to someone else.
Thanks for your trouble. I will post any relevant information...no matter what the outcome.
On the federal level Nadler comes to mind as does Kennedy and Clinton??????
No, you more or less stated that I don't have asthma, that I am akin to an hysterical female.
I could give a flying f**k if you want to coat your lungs with tar. You can smoke marijuana too for all I care. I used to smoke dope and tobacco. I quit because they were both nasty health destroying habits that make people stink.
If business establishments allow smoking, fine, they lose my custom. I'm not wealthy so they don't lose much.
As far as prohibiting smoking in public places, I really don't care. I just won't go where people are smoking. Places children frequent should be smoke free, such as schools.
But for you to say that I don't have asthma, only nerves, not only displays your ignorance and arrogance, but indicates an odd, hair trigger mentality.
Are you sure that tobacco is all you smoke?
I'm taking care of my health just fine, thank you.
A not-perfectly healthy set of lungs in not as deleterious as a twisted intelligence and a callousness towards others' health problems.
Do you sneer at people in wheelchairs too? Curse at old people with walkers? Laugh at old folks with oxygen tanks? Trip up blind people with white canes?
HOW DARE YOU post a private mail in public...............
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
It's lovely that you don't respond..........very lovely.
This absolute and total breach of FR etiquette of posting a private FReepmail will not go unnoticed. You were given enough time to ask for it to be removed and chose not to do so..........do not bother to do so now, because I have saved this post.
Had you responded via FReepmail, remember you are the one that initially contacted me, I would have continued a dialogue with you.............you've blown it.
Honest and truth-telling. I have nothing to hide.
There is NO WAY I would ask for this to be deleted. You are here in all your glory.
mrowrll fssssst grrrrrr
LOLOLOL!!! MMMMRROROW!!!!
I am getting a hoot out of the whole thing!
THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL EMAIL TO GABZ:
re: your request for the deleted item
To Gabz | 08/07/2005 8:57:51 PM PDT sent
Looks like the mods are very busy with the Peter Jennings news. If they don't respond by tomorrow, I will FReepmail John Robinson and ask him what would be the best way to get it done.
I will for sure follow up within the week.
i wonder how he would have felt if, rather than 2nd hand smoke, patrons were playing music that would hurt other patrons' hearing, or shining lights that hurt other patrons' sight. i bet he wouldn't have a problem kicking them out. but cigarettes only hurt lungs. so there is no problem, right?
Gee...no response...
THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL EMAIL TO GABZ:
re: your request for the deleted item
To Gabz | 08/07/2005 8:57:51 PM PDT sent
Looks like the mods are very busy with the Peter Jennings news. If they don't respond by tomorrow, I will FReepmail John Robinson and ask him what would be the best way to get it done.
I will for sure follow up within the week.
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